Eskimo Curlew

Numenius borealis

Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of North America.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Argentina Birds of Brazil Birds of Canada Birds of the United Kingdom Birds of the United States Birds of Manitoba Birds of New Brunswick Birds of Newfoundland and Labrador Birds of Nova Scotia Birds of Northwest Territories

By family

Sandpipers & Allies of Argentina Sandpipers & Allies of Brazil Sandpipers & Allies of Canada Sandpipers & Allies of the United Kingdom Sandpipers & Allies of the United States Sandpipers & Allies of Manitoba Sandpipers & Allies of New Brunswick Sandpipers & Allies of Newfoundland and Labrador Sandpipers & Allies of Nova Scotia Sandpipers & Allies of Northwest Territories

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The Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis) is a member of the Scolopacidae family found in North America. Adults weigh 350 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Critically Endangered.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

CR Critically Endangered

Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Charadriiformes
Family Scolopacidae Sandpipers, Snipes
Genus Numenius
Species borealis

Where it lives

Low Arctic tundra of northwestern North America: northern NWT (northwestern Canada; possibly also northern Alaska; probably extinct)

North America

Quick facts

Weight: 350 g
Diet: Invertebrate-eaters
Family: Scolopacidae
Order: Charadriiformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Eskimo Curlew is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Behaviour

A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Eskimo Curlew is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

The Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis) is a member of the Scolopacidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans North America. Its distribution covers NA low Arctic tundra of nw North America: n NWT (nw Canada; possibly also n Alaska; probably extinct).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 350 g, with a wing length of about 21.4 cm and a tail of around 7.8 cm.

It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Eskimo Curlew?

The Eskimo Curlew is a large bird that weighs around 350 g.

Where does the Eskimo Curlew live?

The Eskimo Curlew is found across North America with a range covering NA low Arctic tundra of nw North America: n NWT (nw Canada; possibly also n Alaska; probably extinct), where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Eskimo Curlew belong to?

The Eskimo Curlew (Numenius borealis) belongs to the Scolopacidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.

What does the Eskimo Curlew eat?

The Eskimo Curlew is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Does the Eskimo Curlew migrate?

The Eskimo Curlew is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.

Is the Eskimo Curlew endangered?

It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.